Pulsed Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing of Photoaged Facial Skin

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: public demand for procedures to rejuvenate photoaged skin have stimulated the use of high-energy short-pulsed carbon dioxide lasers as a precise and predictable treatment modality. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of clinical improvement achieved in treating perioral and periorbital wrinkles with a high-energy, microsecond-domain pulsed CO2 laser. Photodamaged skin in the perioral (n=73) and periorbital (n=38) regions was treated with multiple passes of confluent single pulses of CO2 laser energy (10 600 nm, 3-mm collimated beam, <1- millisecond pulse, 450 mJ per pulse, 2 to 5 W), with the tissue being cleansed and débrided with normal saline between passes. A nine-point clinical scoring system was devised for evaluation of the degree of wrinkling and photodamage present. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were independently scored by four ¿blinded¿ reviewers. The patients were observed postoperatively for 1 to 12 months for the course of healing, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: All three classes (mild, moderate, and severe) of photoaging of the skin responded equally well, showing an average wrinkling score reduction of 2.25 for the periorbital region and 2.34 for the perioral region, the most superficial wrinkles and photodamage being eliminated and the more severe being markedly improved. An unexpected finding was tightening of loose and folded skin. Side effects included transient erythemia and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and one instance of an isolated hypertrophic scar. CONCLUSIONS: Resurfacing of photoaged skin by means of a high-energy, microsecond-domain pulsed CO2 laser with a specific clinical treatment protocol results in predictable improvement in perioral and periorbital wrinkling and photodamage with minimal risks. Heat-induced collagen shrinkage appears to contribute to these results by tightening loose skin and folds.